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Abstract

To the editor: After reading the recent article by Dr. Kimball (1), we had an opportunity to observe a 40-year-old physician who had been dependent on adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) for 3 years.

He had a 7-year history of alcoholism and simultaneously used large amounts of psychotropic drugs, including methylphenidate, amitriptyline, methaqualone, and a combination of dextroamphetamine and barbiturates (Dexedrine®). Lately, he had treated himself with propylthioracil, 100 mg three times daily for 5 months, for sweating, tachycardia, and nervousness, despite normal thyroid function tests. He also administered testosterone propionate to himself on one occasion. He first began using ACTH in 1969